How to Get Your CDL in Tennessee: A Step-by-Step Guide
Getting your Commercial Driver’s License in Tennessee can help you begin a career as a professional driver. A CDL lets someone operate big vehicles like tractor-trailers, buses, and tankers. It opens the door to a career with good pay and job security.
Tennessee’s requirements are straightforward. Applicants must be at least 18 years old to drive within the state, and 21 to cross state lines or haul hazardous materials, and must pass vision, knowledge, and skills test.
Key Takeaways
- Meet the basics: Be 18+ (21+ for interstate driving), have a valid TN license, prove residency, and pass a DOT physical
- Get a Commercial Learner’s Permit: Study the manual, pass written test with 80%, and wait 14 days
- Complete professional training: 160 hours minimum with certified instructors
- Pass the three-part skills test: Pre-trip, basic control, and on-road assessment
- Submit documents & get licensed
Do I Meet the CDL Requirements?
Before getting a CDL in Tennessee, applicants must meet specific requirements.
Age and Valid Driver’s License
Tennessee requires CDL applicants to be at least 18 years old to drive commercial vehicles within the state. Drivers under 21 may only operate within the state of Tennessee. To travel between states, transport hazardous materials, or drive a school bus, drivers must be 21 or older.
A valid Tennessee driver’s license is also required to apply for a Commercial Driver’s License.
Citizenship and Residency
Applicants must prove they are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Lawful permanent residents may provide a valid Permanent Resident Card from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or prove residence through a spouse, child, sibling, or grandparent who has a valid Tennessee license.
To get a CDL, you must provide proof of Tennessee residency with two forms of documentation:
- Current utility bills (cell phone bills don’t count)
- Vehicle registration from the last 12 months
- Tennessee vehicle title with a home address
- Mortgage documents or lease agreements
- Voter registration card
Bank statements, cell phone bills, and personal mail are not valid for proving residency.
Physical Exam
A Department of Transportation (DOT) physical is required. This assessment will assess the following for any conditions:
- Vision
- Hearing
- Blood Pressure
- Urine Samples
- Sleep Disorders
- Neurological Function
- Physical Conditions
After passing, applicants provide the Medical Examiner’s Certificate they get after the physical.
Getting a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)
Once you meet the basic requirements, the next step is getting a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). A CLP allows someone to drive with ta licensed CDL driver and practice before taking the sklils test.
Study the Tennessee CDL Manual
Applicants should study the Tennessee Commercial Driver’s Manual, which covers the basic knowledge CDL holders must have. Applicants can get a copy of them annual at any Tennessee driver service center or can be downloaded from the Department of Safety website.
The manual will cover key topics like:
- How to control and inspect a vehicle
- Rules of the road for commercial vehicles
- Air brake systems and safety
- Traffic laws for commercial vehicles
Take the CLP Exam
When applying for a CLP, visit the Tennessee driver’s service center to take the written exams. The general knowledge test has 50 multiple-choice questions. At least 80% correct is needed to pass.
If you’re looking to obtain endorsements, you can also take those exams at this time. Options include:
- Hazardous Materials (H) – for hauling HazMat
- Passenger Transport (P) – for passenger vehicles
- School bus (S) – for school buses
- Tank Vehicles (N) – for tanker trucks
- Double/Triple Trailers (T) – for multiple trailers
Endorsement tests are separate written exams. Passing them adds them to the CLP right away.
When you arrive to take the test, you’ll need to bring the following documents:
- Valid Tennessee driver’s license
- Proof of Tennessee residency
- Medical Examiner’s Certificate
- Social Security card
- Application fees
Understand the Permit Rules and Timeline
A commercial learner’s permit is valid for 180 days and can be renewed once. While holding the CLP, applicants must follow these rules:
- A licensed CDL driver must sit in the passenger seat at all times
- Wait a minimum of 14 days before taking the CDL skills test
- Do not transport passengers or hazardous materials
- Only drive vehicles that match the permit class and endorsements
Complete CDL Training and Get Ready for the Skills Test
After getting a CLP, applicants will need to find professional training that is approved by the Entry-Level Driver Training mandate put in place by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Why Professional CDL Training Matters
A manual and learner’s permit alone it’s enough to pass the skills test. Professional CDL training schools offer experienced instructors who know what examiners want to see.
Nearly 44% of truck driving schools don’t meet government standards, so it’s important to choose a program that meets the federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements. To meet these standards, programs must run at least 160 hours and teach the skills and safety protocols applicants need to become successful CDL drivers.
Experience behind the wheel with skilled, certified instructors is the key to successful training, allowing students plenty of practice to build their confidence in maneuvering the vehicle in the training yard and on the road.
What You’ll Learn in CDL Training
Training with certified CDL instructors includes hands-on driving experience. Topics include:
- How to operate a vehicle
- Safety protocols and defensive driving
- DOT regulations and logging procedures
- Real driving on all types of roads
Training includes classroom instruction and road experience on secondary roads, interstates, and city streets with a licensed, certified instructor.
The CDL Skills Tests
Applicants must pass three parts of the CDL skills test in order:
- Pre-trip inspection: An oral exam where applicants identify vehicle parts, explain what they do, and describe inspection steps. Engine, brakes, suspension, tires, and lights are checked.
- Basic vehicle control: Maneuvering exercises like straight-line backing, offset backing, and parallel parking.
- On-road driving: Driving in real traffic on city streets, rural roads, and highways.
Applying for a CDL in Tennessee
Once you’ve completed training you’re ready to apply for your CDL. You need to take your skills test, submit documents, and pay all relevant fees to earn your CDL.
Schedule and Pass the CDL Skills test
The skills test can be scheduled after holding a CDLP for at least 14 days. Contact the Tennessee Department of Safety to schedule the test. Certified testing centers across Tennessee also provide this service. The cost of the test varies and must be paid again if you don’t pass.
Submit Test Documents and Pay Fees
After passing the skills test, go to your local Driver Services Center with these documents:
- Valid DOT Medical Certification Card
- Proof of Social Security Number
- Tennessee driver’s license or valid out-of-state license
- Two proofs of Tennessee residency
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency
Fees to pay:
- Class A license
- Class B/C license
All commercial licenses are valid for 8 years.
Get Your CDL
After the application is processed, your CDL is official. If endorsements weren’t added when the permit was issued, applicants can add them later by taking endorsement tests at a driver’s service center.
What’s Next?
With a CDL, your career options open up significantly. The job market for CDL drivers in Tennessee has steady demand. Many graduates start working within weeks of finishing training.
The whole process might seem overwhelming at first. Breaking the process into steps makes it more manageable. At Tennessee CDL School, new students can be ready to take their skills in as few as 160 hours. This faster enrollment process means students are able to start training sooner, and start their new career faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old does someone need to be to get a CDL in Tennessee?
Applicants must be 18 to drive within the state. To cross state lines, haul hazardous materials, or drive a school bus, applicants must be 21.
How long does it take to get a CDL?
With solid preparation and training, ELDT-compliant CDL schools in Tennessee require a minimum of 160 hours to prepare students to take the skills test and start their careers.
What is the CDL Skills test like?
There are three parts to the CDL skills exam:
- Pre-trip inspection
- Basic vehicle control maneuvers
- On-road driving
All parts must be passed to receive a commercial driver’s license.
How much does a CDL cost?
The license is $70 for Class A. That does not include training cost (which varies), skills test fees ($150 – $250), and obtaining medical certification.
Is professional CDL training required?
Yes, according to the FMCSA, Entry-Level Driver Training is required. This mean all future truck drivers must train with a compliant training provider before the DMV will allow them to take the skills test.
